1997 Alain Graillot Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (9/26/2006)Plum colour;,warm floral bouquet with coffee/mocha and toast.This wine has immediate appeal,with the flavour of raspberries,great texture and very rich oily finish.This is one of the best Rhones I have drunk this year.Just beautiful. (95 pts.)

Hi Keith, I believe you are a relative newcomer to the forum so <b>welcome</b> to the best wine stop on the internet. About the white Rhone though, I am surprised that the wine was able to keep it's balance regarding acidity. I would have thought that being from the '03 vintage it might have been just a bit fat. It is good to hear of one though that is not.

Keith, thanks for the note on the '97 Graillot Hermitage. I was not a fan of the '97 Crozes Hermitage, so guess I had sort of in my mind discounted their '97's altogether. Sounds like my (very first ever ) mistake. Thanks again.

Keith! Good notes. Say, I've got a few bottles of an 03 South African Cabernet Sauvignon here I've never read a tasting note on nor heard anyone else mention, and I wonder what you think of it: it's called Conde. Likewise, I've never read a TN that I know of on a Mulderbosch Beta Centauri, though I'm very familiar with Mulderbosch's white wines, but I recently grabbed an 02 when I saw it. I think that wine's availability over here is extremely rare--this is the only bottle I've ever laid eyes on. Would appreciate any comments and recommendations you might have for that one, too.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Jenise, The Stark-Conde Conde range cab is a very impressive wine.It is made in very limited quantities,from extremely low yielding vines,which are hence beautifully concentrated. Although the wine is a hefty 15% abv the wine is well balanced,and will definately benefit from a few years bottle age.The 2003 is probably the best vintage for some years.
Will get back to you on the Mulderbosch later.

I have not tasted recent vintages of the Beta Centauri although I do know the 98 was really outstanding.
Understand the 2002 needs a few more years,but I promise to look out for it when I get back to the Cape,later next month and will post a note.

Keith, thank you. The fellow I bought the Conde from said it was possibly the best South African cabernet he ever tasted, and he knows that unlike most of his customers I'll call him a big fat liar if I am disappointed , but at the same time a few of his choices have mystified. A more objective opinion is most appreciated. In the meantime I'm happy to let these rest. No need to rush, I have plenty other wines to drink.

Oh, and while I have you on the line: Thelema. Are you familiar with their track record for aging? I've got a handful of 00 and 01s, and am thinking it's about time to try one of the former. I can give them all the time they need and they seemed like wines that could go a decade or more, but I'm flying blind here....

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Thelema is certainly one of my favourite Cape wineries. Especially love their Cab and Merlot. Recently their 99 Cab was voted WOTN in a blind tasting I organised,against stiff opposition from the old and new world.
The wines do age well--------certainly a minimum of 5 years and ideally up to 10.

Keith, that's splendid. I have a few of the merlots as well--unlike most Norte Americanos, I have no aversion to that grape, and South Africa does some amazing things with it. A 99 or 00 Vergelegen a few months ago was just ungodly.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Keith, re your generous offer--if you're serious, then I am too when I say that we've talked about going to South Africa next year. We will be travelling with another pair of wine lovers, though; does the cottage sleep four?

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Not really but no problems,if you give me enough notice,one couple can sleep downstairs in our house and the other in the guest wing----its not really a cottage,just an extension to the main house. Nothing fancy but comfortable.